Worried for his sanity after poor in-game choices, Grant Legate’s sister, Liz, blocks access to Continue Online. With no way around the restriction, he ventures into a new world—a VRMMO game based in space—called Advance Online. There he must help his companion AI, Hal Pal, overcome an identity crisis, race to the center of the universe to bring back his true love, and figure out where he stands on the scariest implication of all; AIs are bringing the dead to life. Other books in the series: Continue Online Part Four: Crash Continue Online Part Five: Together Gamelit, LitRPG, depression, recovery, fantasy land, VRMMO, virtual reality
A reluctant bodyguard, Jay now faces a lofty challenge, protect Kahina—his no-longer-an-ex-girlfriend—during her transformation into a full-fledged vampire. Sounds simple enough, except the odds are stacked against him; angry wolves, partial vampires, human extremists all seek to destroy her before she completes the change. Other books in this series: Trials of the Chief (Royal Scales Book 3) Prince in the Tower (Royal Scales Book 4) urban fantasy, male mc, mystery
The future is filled with self-driving cars, virtual realities, chore completing machines, and super fast internet connections. Yet all these technological innovations cannot prevent tragedy. Three years ago Grant Legate lost that which he loved most. His carefully built life fell apart in the wake of depression. Now, Grant spends most days working endless hours as a companion to an AI. Their job is simple, to repair broken machines that humanity uses to visit virtual realities. Unintended hard work pays off after his boss forces Grant to take a vacation and try the latest game craze called Continue Online; a fantasy world with the freedom to play any role one might choose. Inside this new game, he meets a series of AIs that are nothing like what he expected from a video game. Grant starts his journey from a very different perspective, and he is only one part of an AI agenda that will end up impacting all of humanity.
As technology continues to rapidly advance, individuals and society are profoundly changed. So too are the tools used to measure this universe and, therefore, our understanding of reality improves. Boundaries of Self and Reality Online examines the idea that technological advances associated with the Internet are moving us in multiple domains toward various "edges." These edges range from self, to society, to relationships, and even to the very nature of reality. Boundaries are dissolving and we are redefining the elements of identity. The book begins with explorations of the digitally constructed self and the relationship between the individual and technological reality. Then, the focus shifts to society at large and includes a contribution from Chinese researchers about the isolated Chinese Internet. The later chapters of the book explore digital reality at large, including discussions on virtual reality, Web consciousness, and digital physics. - Cyberpsychology architecture - Video games as a tool for self-understanding - Avatars and the meaning behind them - Game transfer phenomena - A Jungian perspective on technology - Politics of social media - The history and science of video game play - Transcendent virtual reality experiences - The theophoric quality of video games
Today, online technologies are at the core of most fields of engineering and society as a whole . This book discusses the fundamentals, applications and lessons learned in the field of online and remote engineering, virtual instrumentation, and other related technologies like Cross Reality, Data Science & Big Data, Internet of Things & Industrial Internet of Things, Industry 4.0, Cyber Security, and M2M & Smart Objects. Since the first Remote Engineering and Virtual Instrumentation (REV) conference in 2004, the event has focused on the use of the Internet for engineering tasks, as well as the related opportunities and challenges. In a globally connected world, interest in online collaboration, teleworking, remote services, and other digital working environments is rapidly increasing. In this context, the REV conferences discuss fundamentals, applications and experiences in the field of Online and Remote Engineering as well as Virtual Instrumentation. Furthermore, the conferences focus on guidelines and new concepts for engineering education in higher and vocational education institutions, including emerging technologies in learning, MOOCs & MOOLs, and open resources. This book presents the proceedings of REV2020 on “Cross Reality and Data Science in Engineering” which was held as the 17th in series of annual events. It was organized in cooperation with the Engineering Education Transformations Institute and the Georgia Informatics Institutes for Research and Education and was held at the College of Engineering at the University of Georgia in Athens (GA), USA, from February 26 to 28, 2020.
“McGonigal is a clear, methodical writer, and her ideas are well argued. Assertions are backed by countless psychological studies.” —The Boston Globe “Powerful and provocative . . . McGonigal makes a persuasive case that games have a lot to teach us about how to make our lives, and the world, better.” —San Jose Mercury News “Jane McGonigal's insights have the elegant, compact, deadly simplicity of plutonium, and the same explosive force.” —Cory Doctorow, author of Little Brother A visionary game designer reveals how we can harness the power of games to boost global happiness. With 174 million gamers in the United States alone, we now live in a world where every generation will be a gamer generation. But why, Jane McGonigal asks, should games be used for escapist entertainment alone? In this groundbreaking book, she shows how we can leverage the power of games to fix what is wrong with the real world-from social problems like depression and obesity to global issues like poverty and climate change-and introduces us to cutting-edge games that are already changing the business, education, and nonprofit worlds. Written for gamers and non-gamers alike, Reality Is Broken shows that the future will belong to those who can understand, design, and play games. Jane McGonigal is also the author of SuperBetter: A Revolutionary Approach to Getting Stronger, Happier, Braver and More Resilient.
Communication research is evolving and changing in a world of online journals, open-access, and new ways of obtaining data and conducting experiments via the Internet. Although there are generic encyclopedias describing basic social science research methodologies in general, until now there has been no comprehensive A-to-Z reference work exploring methods specific to communication and media studies. Our entries, authored by key figures in the field, focus on special considerations when applied specifically to communication research, accompanied by engaging examples from the literature of communication, journalism, and media studies. Entries cover every step of the research process, from the creative development of research topics and questions to literature reviews, selection of best methods (whether quantitative, qualitative, or mixed) for analyzing research results and publishing research findings, whether in traditional media or via new media outlets. In addition to expected entries covering the basics of theories and methods traditionally used in communication research, other entries discuss important trends influencing the future of that research, including contemporary practical issues students will face in communication professions, the influences of globalization on research, use of new recording technologies in fieldwork, and the challenges and opportunities related to studying online multi-media environments. Email, texting, cellphone video, and blogging are shown not only as topics of research but also as means of collecting and analyzing data. Still other entries delve into considerations of accountability, copyright, confidentiality, data ownership and security, privacy, and other aspects of conducting an ethical research program. Features: 652 signed entries are contained in an authoritative work spanning four volumes available in choice of electronic or print formats. Although organized A-to-Z, front matter includes a Reader’s Guide grouping entries thematically to help students interested in a specific aspect of communication research to more easily locate directly related entries. Back matter includes a Chronology of the development of the field of communication research; a Resource Guide to classic books, journals, and associations; a Glossary introducing the terminology of the field; and a detailed Index. Entries conclude with References/Further Readings and Cross-References to related entries to guide students further in their research journeys. The Index, Reader’s Guide themes, and Cross-References combine to provide robust search-and-browse in the e-version.
Have you ever felt trapped in an endless financial cycle, where financial stability and prosperity seem impossible to achieve? Would you like to have a clear and effective plan to turn your financial dreams into reality? This book doesn't just offer theoretical information about personal finance; it is a practical, step-by-step guide that will enable you to take control of your financial future. It breaks down complex financial concepts into simple, accessible terms. Each chapter is designed to provide you with practical tools and effective techniques that you can implement immediately, regardless of your previous level of financial literacy. We invite you to explore not only the principles of sound financial management, but also to understand the profound implications your financial decisions have on your mental health, physical well-being, and personal relationships. With each page, you will move closer to a life where finances are a source of empowerment rather than distress, where every financial decision you make is aligned with your holistic well-being and the strengthening of your personal relationships. With each page, you will move closer to a life where finances are a source of empowerment rather than distress, where every financial decision you make is aligned with your overall well-being and the strengthening of your personal relationships. "How to Achieve Your Financial Goals: From Dream to Reality" is an investment in your future that will provide you with the tools and knowledge necessary to transform your financial dreams into a tangible reality. Don't miss this opportunity to take control of your financial life and create the future you want - start your path to financial success today! Features: 1. Hardcover 2. High-quality binding 3. Sized for comfortable reading: 6.14" (156 mm) x 9.21" (234 mm) 4. 86 sheets of heavy-duty paper
The author, a computer science professor diagnosed with terminal cancer, explores his life, the lessons that he has learned, how he has worked to achieve his childhood dreams, and the effect of his diagnosis on him and his family.
Using textual analysis, interviews with game designers, audience surveys, and close analysis of player forum discussion, this book examines the unique nature of the producer/consumer relationship within promotional Alternate Reality Games (ARGs). Historically, ARGs are rooted in advertising as much as they are in narrative storytelling. As designers often have to respond to player actions as the game progresses, players can have an impact on the storyline, on character behaviour, and potentially on the final resolution of the narrative. This book explores how both media consumers and producers are responding to this new reconfiguration of the producer/consumer/prosumer dynamic in order to better understand the diverse advertising experiences available to media audiences today. With a focus on participatory culture and the political economy of promotional communications, this in-depth analysis of ARGs will appeal to academics and researchers in the fields of games, film, advertising, and media and cultural studies.
